The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1887-01-20
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
After Lula's lessons we're over for
the day, Mrs. Barron carelessly in
formed me that | could find a seat
on the piazza, or in the sitting room,
when there was no company and l
ventured to ask. her,
eff Lula was to be my only charge?
A shadow at once came upon her
hard face, and for moment she COM
pressed her unshapely lips, then open
ed them to say,
"No-I havo another daughter who
is an invalid, and will require your
attendance occasionally, but l will let
you know when you are wanted in
her ROOM
Again my sympathies were stirred,
but I did not dare to ask if l might
see the sick. and probably suffering
girl, so [ kept silent until Lula ap-
peared, when 1 was glad to get out
among the trees, and into the fresh
air, for that of the house seemed to
sti1e me.
There were no flowers, and the place
looked sad and lonely, though there
was nothing out of order, and Mrs.
Barron must be possessed of ample
means, from the generous salary that
she had offered for my services. |
had taken for granted that she was
avidoau, and SO far, | had heard moth
ing to the contrary. And [ had no
right to question Lula about family
affairs. | must await future develop
ments with patience, and try to initiate
Mrs. Barron in reticence.
CHAPTER VIII.
The second night after my arrival
was intensely warm, and on retiring,
[ left both windows and door wide
open. The house was so quiet, and so
remote from neighbors, or humanity
in any shape beyond its inmates, that
the thought of danger or intrusion
never once entered my brain. The
moon was at its full, and rendered
every object distinctly visible, SO that
| lowered the curtain of dimity on
going to bed, lest it should be too light
for sound repose.
1 must have been asleep for some
hours, and l suppose it was about
midnight when [ suddenly awoke.
Whether there was a sound, or touch,
l do not know; but ] was wide awake
in moment, and there stood by the
bedside leaning over me, the figure of a
young girl of apparently, about eigh-
teen, pale and attenated, and clad
in white night dress, holding in her
right hand heavy, old fashioned
brass candle stick, (but without can
dle.) Her eyes were large, black and
brilliant, and her hair was black also,
and so long and thick that it seemed
almost to envelop her slender person.
In health, she must have been most
beautiful-but she looked strange and
ghastly as .he stood glaring upon NE
with those brilliant, beautiful, fierce
black eyes. / sprang up, and as
did so, fearful blow with the brass
candle-stick fell upon my vacated pill
low, rending it almost in two, and ]
saw that [ was contending with a
maniac. 1t flashed upon me in rapid
thought that [ must not show, fear no1
lose my presence of mind, so grasped
her small wrist which seemed to pos
sess the strength of young lioness,
and looking straight into her eyes said
as calmly as [ could,
&c Wig should you aoish to huat me :
L aUould not harm you for the qUorld =
She dropped the candle stick al
once, and in strangely soft and pa
thetic voice, said.
=" But achat houe you done aoith Phil
hp?"
I promptly answered, "Philip Ii
safe and we'll!
"Then aUhy oid he not come?
Here l was sorely at a loss, but ]
must not hesitate, for she again seizet
the fearful weapon. But [ caught hel
hand and said impulsively, "poor lit
tie thing and passed my other hand
caressingly over the beautiful head.
She sank down on her knees by thu
bed, saying in the same sad voice
Are yoat sorry for me ?'' Yes in
deed" 1 quickly answered, then sh'
said
" No one else IS euer sorry for me
Mrs. Barron tells Pauline to hold me
and she auhips me a0len 1 ers for Phil
Up. I k,aoa0 til q haze killed him, Sc
arteae they have aohipped me,
And indeed there were red stripe
upon the fair shoulders, which sh
suddenly barred to my astonished gaze
" Yes indeed, 1 am vcry sorry for you
and no one shall ever hurt you agail
if I can help it, An6 I felt as if
could then and there, take the poo
heart-broken, unloved, and afflicted
girl into my protecting care, forgetting
that I was myself but feeble defense